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Every year 1,770 people in the United
Kingdom are either killed or injured by fires caused as a result
of smoking in the home. In the Avon area it is the second most
common reason for the fire service being called out to domestic
properties
Around a third of these fires occur between 10pm and 3am, so
with the introduction of the public ban on smoking we are urging
smokers to try and give up, or if they can’t, take extra care when
smoking at home, particularly in the evening.
By following our basic tips it is possible to keep you and your
family safe by reducing the risk of fire.
- Put it out, right out! Make sure your cigarette is fully
extinguished.
- Take extra care when you're tired, are taking any sort of
drugs or have been drinking alcohol. It's very easy to fall asleep
while your cigarette is still burning.
- Never smoke in bed. If you need to lie down, don't light up.
You could doze off and set your bedding on fire.
- Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended - they
can easily overbalance as they burn down.
- Use a heavy ashtray that can't tip over easily and is made of
a material that won't burn. Make sure your cigarette is not still
burning when you are finished. Put it out, right out.
- Never tap ash directly into a wastebasket containing other
rubbish and don't let the ash or cigarette ends build up in the
ashtray.
- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm smoke alarm fitted –
this gives you and your family time to get out of your home safely.
We will fit smoke alarms free of charge in your home as part of
your Home Fire safety Visit. To make an appointment call 0800 1693
999 or click here – it could save your life.
For more
information on giving up smoking visit the NHS Go Smoke Free
website